Wade braces for 'rest', keen to fill No. 6 spot

Andrew Wu, Sydney

Matthew Wade says he would not feel any extra pressure if pushed up a rung. Photo: Getty Images

MATTHEW Wade is bracing to be rotated out of the team for the one-day international series, but has declared he is ready to take on the challenge of batting at No. 6 after Mike Hussey's retirement.

The wicketkeeper has not missed an international match since replacing Brad Haddin last February, playing in each of Australia's last 46 fixtures, and though he does not want to sit out any games this summer, he understands the benefits of such a move.

''I don't want to stop playing cricket for Australia, but I don't think it will be my decision,'' Wade said. ''That will be made higher up if I'm to rest any games. I want to play every game that I want for Australia but I fully understand where the people are coming from above.

''Mitchell Johnson had a rest from Hobart and did what he did last Test match and looked really fresh. I want to play but in the end it's not my choice.''

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Australia's team management is yet to broach the topic with Wade but the odds appear slim of the 25-year-old playing through the entire ODI and Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka and the West Indies later this summer.

Selectors will also be wary of Wade's workload before next month's four-Test series against former world No. 1 India. Of the top six Test nations, only India's M.S. Dhoni and Wade keep wickets in all three forms of the game at international level.

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''I fully understand where they're coming from and, going forward, with how much cricket we are playing, the resting of fast bowlers, and if I end up having a rest it will be beneficial down the track,'' Wade said.

''At the time no cricketer wants to rest. We want to play every single game that we can because that's what we're paid to do.''

Wade's place is likely to be taken by Tasmania's Tim Paine, who donned the gloves for Australia A against South Africa at the start of the summer.

Wade is this week preparing to move up the order to No. 6 as Australia contemplates blooding Victorian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.

Although he has never batted at No. 6 at Test level, Wade has batted with distinction in that position for Victoria in recent seasons. He said he would not feel any extra pressure if pushed up a rung nor would he be changing his game.

''In terms of impacting keeping it doesn't make too much of a difference coming one up the order,'' Wade said. ''My personal expectation whether I'm at six or seven is to contribute runs to the team.

''Personally that doesn't change for me. Maybe outside expectation is that the No. 6 needs a few more runs but I'm trying to get runs every time I bat there.''

Hussey's retirement, hot on the heels of Ricky Ponting's departure, has reinforced the need for the next generation to lift their games.

''It's going to be a lot more expectation on the younger top order,'' Wade said. '' 'Pup' [skipper Michael Clarke] is doing everything he can do, scoring a truckload more runs.

''It's up to the Warners, Cowans, Wades, Hugheses all the guys in that top six or seven who have to pick up the slack. It's easier said than done but with hard work and guidance from our captain we think we can get the job done.''

The visitors cannot regain the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy but are desperate to be the first Sri Lankan team to win a Test in Australia.

''The good thing is this team have to believe they can create history if they win a Test match in Australia, that's the attitude we'll take into the new year's Test,'' said veteran Thilan Samaraweera. ''[We have] nothing to lose, 2-0 down, but these 16 men and management can go down in history if we win.''